Essie Lue Strayhorn

Essie Lue Strayhorn was born on May 8, 1941, in Crawfordsville, GA, the third of 11 children born to the blessed union of Marinda (Ruff) and Howard Champion, Sr. The family was blessed to adopt a twelfth daughter many years later. The Champion family had strong Christian beliefs, and Essie was baptized at an early age at New Salem Baptist Church in Washington, GA, under Pastor Rev. McClendon. In 1953, the family migrated north and found a new church home at St. Luke Baptist Church in Cincinnati, OH. Essie attended Robert A. Taft High School and later worked at Cintas for several years. She was a hard worker and took pride in her work. In 1977, she married Bennie Strayhorn, and a few years later, they welcomed a son into the world. In 1983, Bennie Strayhorn, Jr. accepted his calling into the ministry, and Essie became First Lady of Zion Hope Missionary Baptist Church. She was a member of the Interdenominational Association of Ministers' Wives and Widows, taught Sunday School, and led other programs. She enjoyed singing and fellowshipping with the congregation. In 2010, Essie became a member of the First Baptist Church of Woodlawn after her husband retired from Zion Hope Baptist Church in 2007. She was known for wearing beautiful large-brimmed hats with high heels to match her dresses or suits. Her style was unmatched. She gained guardianship of her granddaughter, Hannah Acklin, and proudly raised her from toddlerhood to adulthood. Essie LOVED cooking for her family! Everyone loved her famous greens, cobblers, cakes, and many other meals. Not only did she love to cook, but she also loved to see everyone eating well. It was how she expressed her love. Essie was preceded in death by her parents; three brothers, Willie Virgil Champion, Howard Champion, Jr., and Singleton Champion; three sisters, Mary Agnes Evans, Connie Mae Champion, and Estella Jones; and three grandchildren, Regina Acklin, Reginald Van Acklin, Jr., and Tyler Acklin. She is survived by her husband, Reverend Bennie Strayhorn, Jr.; three sons, Robert Acklin, Jr., Reginald Van Acklin, Sr. (Ronda), and Bennie Strayhorn, III (Brie); one stepdaughter, Michelle Butler; one brother, Gregory Champion (Flora); four sisters, Mattie Whaley (Andrew), Choyce Malone (Clarence), Ruth Champion Hughes, and Kimberly Mingo Thompson; a host of grandchildren and great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews, many loving cousins, and friends. Visitation is from 11:00 am until 12:00 pm, on Saturday, October 26, 2024, at the Zion Global Ministries, 9180 Cincinnati Columbus Road, West Chester, Ohio (45069). The funeral service will immediately follow the visitation beginning at 12:00 pm. Friends and family will gather to share memories, find solace in one another's company, and honor the legacy she leaves behind. Interment will follow at 11:00 am on Monday, October 28, 2024, at Dayton National Cemetery, 4400 West Third Street, Dayton, Ohio 45428. To share a memory of Essie or leave a special message for the Strayhorn family, please click the "Tribute Wall" tab above and to the right, enter the information, and click "Save Post." Walker Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for the Strayhorn family during this difficult time. Please call 513.251.6200 or visit www.HerbWalker.com for additional information. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Essie Lue (Champion) Strayhorn, please visit our floral store.